Products
The main products you will need when cleaning are very simple and can be used for many different areas. You don’t need to focus on expensive brands or fancy names. When cleaning, it is very important you do not mix products together. Some products have chemicals that can react with another product and cause bad reactions or produce toxic gases. This doesn’t mean you can’t use them at the same time, just make sure they don’t come into contact with each other. Additionally, when cleaning certain items, you may need specific cleaning products. For example, there are specific products for cleaning an oven or cleaning the floor. These will do the best job, however you can use other things such as soap or spray if you don’t have them.
Also make sure that when cleaning electrical appliances, you turn them off completely at the socket, as cleaning them while they are on can cause fires or electrical shorts. You should also make sure they are completely dry before you turn them back on again for the same reason, otherwise it could be dangerous.
Sponge. A regular dish sponge typically comes in a pack of 6-12. They have a soft side that is used for wiping down surfaces and a rough side that is used for scrubbing. Sponges can be used for a variety of cleaning such as wiping down a kitchen counter, washing dishes, cleaning appliances or cleaning the bathroom. One thing to be aware of when using them is contamination. It is best to have a few sponges that you use for different areas. For example, you wouldn’t want to use the same sponge for washing dishes as you do for cleaning the toilet as it can spread germs. You should also keep in mind that sponges will need to be replaced after time as they can become ripped or too dirty, making them less affective. Personally, I change my sponge every 1-3 months depending on how often I have used it and how dirty or damaged it is.
Soap. Dish soap or washing-up liquid is very useful when cleaning and can be used to clean almost anything if you don’t have the correct product for it. (Do not use this on soft furnishings like sofas as it may ruin them). Dish soap is most commonly used to wash dirty dishes but can also be used to clean surfaces, ovens, sinks, toilets and a few more. A regular bottle of soap should last around 2 months depending on how often you use it. At the absolute minimum, you should be using dish soap every time you wash the dishes. You don’t need a lot, as a little will go a long way.
Cloth. Any cloth can be used when cleaning, although I would recommend a microfibre cloth. A cloth can be used to wipe down sides, clean windows and mirrors, dust, or clean down the bathroom. They typically come in packs of 3-12 and are different colours. This can be a handy way to keep track of what cloths clean what areas, minimising contamination. I personally colour-code my cloths with rhymes; pink for sink, blue for loo, green for glass and then I use the leftover colour (yellow or orange) to wipe the sides and appliances. The best thing about a microfibre cloth is that they are reusable. You can put them into the washing machine after you have used them and then hang them to dry, then they’re good as new. They may eventually need replacing if they get ripped or extremely dirty, but if you take care of them properly they should last a while.
Bleach. This is used to clean the toilet or drains, or for really heavy staining. It is important to be careful when using bleach as it can irritate your skin, making the area dry and itchy, and breathing it in for too long can cause headaches and a sore throat. Bleach will also ruin your clothes if you accidentally splash yourself with it, so be careful and wear old clothes while cleaning. To use bleach, pour it onto the area and leave it to sit for a while before you rinse it off with a sponge and water. There are also different types of bleach. Thick bleach is used for vertical surfaces like toilet bowls as it doesn’t run straight off, and thin bleach is more for soaking, mopping or quick cleaning.
Glass Cleaner. Glass cleaner, or window cleaner, is also a spray bottle, usually blue or green. Similar to surface spray, it can cause irritation if you are breathing it in for a while. To use it properly, spray the glass a few times and then instantly wipe the spray around the surface you are cleaning. It should start to dry the more you wipe it until the glass is completely clean. If you spray a little too much and it doesn’t start to dry off as you wipe it, just grab a dry cloth and continue to wipe it until it starts to dry. For really stubborn marks on the glass, you might have to repeat this a few times.
Spray. Cleaning spray is any surface cleaner in a bottle that you can spray onto your cloths or onto the surface you are cleaning. As long as the bottle says ‘surface cleaner’ or ‘multi-purpose cleaner’ it will work well. If you don’t have this, you can use dish soap or hand soap in most cases, it will just be a little messier. In order to use cleaning spray most effectively, spray it onto the area you want to clean and let it sit for roughly 5 minutes. This allows the spray to begin breaking down dirt and grime, making it a lot easier to clean. After it has sat for a minute, wipe it down with a sponge or cloth. Keep in mind, cheap sprays can smell very strongly of chemicals and if you are using them for long periods of time with the windows closed you may experience headaches, coughing or light-headedness. If this happens don’t panic, just take a break and get some fresh air. You should open any windows to ventilate the room and have a glass of water.